Heidi Herron

Heidi Herron
Location
Wisconsin, USA
Birthday
October 31
Bio
I used to write about random things on OS, the first place I ever wrote publicly. But the political unrest that began in Wisconsin early in 2011, consumed me. My posts here are now all things Wisconsin either through documentational personal posts of the continuing struggle (which only appear on Open Salon) or through cross posts first published on WIvoices.org. I founded that organization in order to feature verbatim interviews with other Wisconsinites. These primary documents bear witness to the times that we live in and return the power to the people - where it belongs. WIvoices.org.

 (first published on WIvoices.org)

 

 Kim Wojchik is the Executive Director at Turningpoint in River Falls for victims of domestic and sexual violence. They served 797 people in 2011 who came to them from either Pierce or St. Croix County [Western Wisconsin]. She has seen

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Editor’s Pick
APRIL 24, 2012 12:05AM

WI Teacher says “students aren’t being fed”

 (first published on WIvoices.org)

Meg Farrington (29-year veteran teacher from Somerset, WI) explains that some students are struggling with hunger in school and how teachers have “stepped up to the plate” to bridge the gap and fill the need in the community. Farrington sa

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Editor’s Pick
APRIL 12, 2012 4:42PM

Man Worries about Wisconsin's Retirement System

 
(first published on WIvoices.org)
Well into the evening, I met Bob Beglinger and his wife Sheryl after they had been on the road for several days. Bob is a member of the citizen’s group called POWRS Committee (ProtectRead full post »
Editor’s Pick
APRIL 2, 2012 11:58PM

In WI: GOP Primary, but all Eyes on Walker

walker
(picture from politico.com)

As the nation looks to Wisconsin today, those of us here are all focused on the Walker recall scheduled this summer. For the zillion reasons why, I’ve written a lengthy update, not intended for the casual political observer. The political bantering has rea

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Editor’s Pick
JANUARY 17, 2012 3:46PM

Governor Walker to Face Recall Election

first published on WIvoices.org

  • 1.5 tons - total weight of the paper petitions delivered by truck today
  • 16,700 - average number of people who signed every day for 60 days
  • 20,000 - number of petitions downloaded in/
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Editor’s Pick
JANUARY 12, 2012 4:49PM

Voices from the Rally Crowd (pt 3)

 first published on WIvoices.org

 

This is the 3rd (and final) part of a series of interviews from the Walker recall kick off rally in Madison, WI, November 19, 2011. Read the first part of the series HERE and the second part HERE.

These bagpipers fromRead full post »

JANUARY 4, 2012 10:30AM

Voices from the Rally Crowd (pt 2)

  

first published on WIvoices.org

Capitol in Madison during the Walker kick off rally, November 19, 2011.

This is the 2nd of a 3 part series of interviews from that day. Read the first part of the series HERE.

I stood silently on one of the

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Editor’s Pick
DECEMBER 10, 2011 10:01AM

Wisconsin Couple Unable to get ID to Vote

John Wolfe and Rita Platt

(photo and VIDEO of partial interview by Art Juchno)

I first published my interview on WI Voices.

 

Now that photo ID’s are required for voting in Wisconsin, Jennifer “Rita” Platt and John Wolfe drove 45 minutes from Osceola to the n

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Editor’s Pick
NOVEMBER 27, 2011 10:20PM

Voices from the Rally Crowd (pt 1)

  

On November 19, 2011, I traveled to Madison, WI to attend the rally to begin the recall of Gov. Walker.  The weather was a warm, near 50 degrees for mid-November.  The crowd was lively with the regular songs, rousing speeches, local music, and the wave of protestors

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Editor’s Pick
NOVEMBER 13, 2011 11:15PM

WI Voices: A Social Worker (update)

 

 “Megan”, a social worker in Child Protective Services, first told her story in May when the debate of Gov. Walker’s Budget Repair Bill was still underway.  Now that the bill has passed, Megan has agreed to offer an inside view of the recent changes to her

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P1010478

 

This incredible idea promoted by this guy on YouTube (and introduced to OS by Ardee) forces big corporations to respond to us, rather than the other day around.  Taking the advice, I was able to mail 13 pieces of mail today.  I got too eager at one point and nearly/… Read full post »

Editor’s Pick
NOVEMBER 3, 2011 4:34PM

Wisconsin begins the Walker Recall

 

scott walker
Walker's speech interrupted by Occupy Chicago protestors.

 

 

Governor Scott Walker, the match that lit the progressive fire nationwide, will finally be eligible for a recall on November 15.  His Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and 3 GOP Senators will also be su/… Read full post »

AUGUST 7, 2011 10:23PM

The Wisconsin Activist

Below is a recent email sent by Chris Wondra, a grassroots organizer and blogger, in Wisconsin’s Senate District 10.  He and his wife, Lisa, have been active in the recall of Senator Harsdorf and now in the election of Shelly Moore in her place.  All six recall elections againstRead full post »
Editor’s Pick
JULY 30, 2011 5:33PM

WI Voices: Social Services Funding Cut

Click HERE to watch a portion of her interview.

Duana Bremer has been the Director of Social Services for Polk, Burnett, and St. Croix counties for the last 7 years.  She left a more lucrative career in sales and marketing, in order to serve the neediest people in our

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Editor’s Pick
JULY 25, 2011 1:12AM

WI Voices: Couple Helped Start a Union

Photo by Sarah Martinsen

Larry and Mania Moore are both retired teachers and residents of Wisconsin’s Senate District 10.  The Moores live in Mania’s childhood home on the edge of a sleepy pond in New Richmond.  With a level of foreboding, they’ve been witnessing t

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Editor’s Pick
JULY 21, 2011 11:01AM

WI Voices: A Family Farmer

The Shafer Family

 

Watch a clip of John Shafer’s interview here.

 

Farmer John Shafer is a rare breed.  Along with his wife, Jenny, and young daughter, they live on a 4th generation, small farm in Spring Valley.  John spoke with us while he completed his morning ch

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Listen to my full interview with Wisconsin’s Right to Life here. 

I recorded this interview, with permission, at 2:00 pm on Election Day for our Democratic primary for the recall election in WI Senate District 10, July 12.  This primary resulted in Shelly Moore (D) defeating fake (ps… Read full post »

JULY 12, 2011 11:22PM

WI Primary Election Results

We won this battle.  The real Democrats won against all of the fake Democrats (injected into the race causing confusion and delay) in every single district.  All 6 recall election against Republicans is going through to the general election on Aug. 9.  We need to win at… Read full post »

 Within the last two hours, we have recieved several reports from people within WI Senate District 10.  They are all Democrats and have all recieved the same robocall from the "Right to Life" group with the phone number 703-410-3201. The call says the people have time to vote absentee, " yo… Read full post »

Editor’s Pick
JUNE 28, 2011 11:33PM

WI Voices: Correctional Officer

            

“Jake” is a correctional officer (aka “Blue Shirt”) in a Wisconsin state prison.  He has worked for the Department of Corrections for over 15 years.  Jake tells me that due to theRead full post »

JUNE 17, 2011 12:48AM

WI Voices: Shelly Moore (Part 2)

 shelly moore PM 2

somerset parade 

photo by Bill Campbell; Moore is kneeling left of the children

 I want to show you a flyer that Sen. Harsdorf is sending out to constituents and requesting their feedback.  In it, she provides only two choices to solve the budget crisis: admittedly “painfulRead full post »

Editor’s Pick
JUNE 15, 2011 10:19AM

In WI: They did it. They took our collective bargaining.

Late last night the WI Supreme Court lifted the restraining order placed by Judge Sumi.  Sumi ruled that the collective bargaining law would not go into effect because the state legislature proceeded to vote on the bill in violation of Wisconsin’s Open Meeting Law.  The Supreme Court,/… Read full post »

shelly moore  

P1010403 

 

Shelly Moore is one of the 6 Democratic challengers engaged in senate recall elections around the state.  I was very excited when she consented to an interview.  As the only teacher among the candidates, Moore faces a special kind of obstacle in… Read full post »

Editor’s Pick
MAY 27, 2011 12:28AM

WI Voices: Woman may be Forced into Nursing Home

Tami Webber
  

 

Tami Weber has lived in Wisconsin’s Senate District 10 her entire life.  Now in her forties, she grew up in the late Senator Gaylord Nelson’s village – Clear Lake.  Tami now lives in a modest apartment in River Falls.  She told me that due t… Read full post »

Editor’s Pick
MAY 19, 2011 8:37PM

WI Voices: A Social Worker

 

“Megan” is one of the more than 280,000 public workers in WI.  She’s a social worker in the division of Child Protective Services.  She investigates allegations of neglect and also the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of children. If needed, she refers… Read full post »